Term | Definition |
abdominal cavity | the cavity containing the major viscera. |
adenectomy | The removal of all or part of the adenoid glands by surgery. |
adenocarcinoma | A malignant tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue. |
adenoma | A benign tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue. |
adenomalacia | abnormal softening of a gland |
adenosclerosis | abnormal hardening of a gland |
anaplasia | Reversion of cells to an immature or a less differentiated form, as occurs in most malignant tumors.-change in structure of cells and in their orientation to each other |
anatomy | the science of the structure of living organisms. |
anomaly | marked deviation from normal, especially as a result of congenital or hereditary defects. |
anterior | situated at or directed toward the front; opposite of posterior. |
aplasia | lack of development of an organ or tissue. |
bloodborne transmission | occurs through contact with blood or body fluids that are contaminated with blood. |
caudal | Of, at, or near the tail or hind parts; posterior. |
cephalic | Of or relating to the head. |
chromosomes | A threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information. |
communicable disease | a disease that can be communicated from one person to another. |
congenital disorder | birth defect: a defect that is present at birth. |
cytoplasm | The protoplasm outside the nucleus of a cell. |
distal | Anatomically located far from a point of reference, such as an origin or a point of attachment. |
dorsal | Of, on, or relating to the upper side |
dysplasia | abnormal growth or development of cells, tissue, bone, or an organ. |
endemic | Prevalent in or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people: ex. diseases endemic to the tropics. |
endocrine glands | Endocrine glands are glands of the endocrine system that secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood rather than through a duct. |
epidemic | A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time |
epigastric region | the upper central region of the abdomen. |
etiology | the study cause of a disease or abnormal condition |
exocrine glands | An externally secreting gland, such as a salivary gland or sweat gland that releases its secretions directly or through a duct. |
functional disorder | disorder showing symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified. |
geriatrician | Of or relating to the aged or to characteristics of the aging process. |
hemophilia | A medical condition in which the ability of the blood to clot is severely reduced, often due to lack of factor VIII. |
histology | The study of the microscopic structure of tissues. |
homeostasis | The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, esp. as maintained by physiological processes. |
hyperplasia | The enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells (#) |
hypertrophy | The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in size of its cells. (size) |
hypogastric region | The lower part of the abdomen. An arbitrary division of the abdomen below the umbilical and between the two iliac regions. |
hypoplasia | underdevelopment of an organ because of a decrease in the number of cells. |
iatrogenic illness | illness that is caused by a medication or physician. |
idiopathic disease | any disease arising from internal dysfunctions of unknown cause. |
infectious disease | a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact. |
inguinal | Of, relating to, or located in the groin. |
medial | Situated in the middle, in particular. |
mesentery | A fold of the peritoneum that attaches the stomach and other organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen. |
midsagittal plane | A vertical plane along the midline of the body dividing the body into right and left halves. Also called midsagittal plane. |
nosocomial infection | Nosocomial infections are ones that have been caught in a hospital. |
pandemic | Prevalent over a whole country or the world. |
pelvic cavity | the space bounded by the bones of the pelvis and containing the pelvic viscera. |
peritoneum | The serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs. |
peritonitis | Inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal organ. |
phenylketonuria | An inherited inability to metabolize phenylalanine that causes brain and nerve damage if untreated. |
physiology | The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. |
posterior | Further back in position; of or nearer the rear or hind end. |
proximal | Situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment. |
retroperitoneal | the anatomical space behind (retro) the abdominal cavity. |
stem cells | An undifferentiated cell of a multicellular organism that is capable of giving rise to indefinitely more cells of the same type |
thoracic cavity | chest cavity: the cavity in the vertebrate body enclosed by the ribs between the diaphragm and the neck and containing the lungs and heart. |
transverse plane | an imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts. |
umbilicus | The navel. |
ventral | Relating to or situated on or close to the abdomen |
vector-borne transmission | indirect transmission of an infectious agent that occurs when a vector bites or touches a person. |
genetic disorder | pathologic condition caused by an absent or defective gene |